N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2054
Residence of person performing janitorial services; limitation on number of dwelling units served (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
The person who performs janitorial services for a multiple dwelling of nine or more dwelling units (other than where janitorial services are performed on a twenty-four-hour-a-day basis under paragraph three of subdivision b of section 27-2053 of this article) shall reside in or within a distance of one block or two hundred feet from the dwelling, whichever is greater, unless the owner resides in the multiple dwelling. Where two or three multiple dwellings are connected or adjoining, it shall be sufficient, however, that the person who performs janitorial services resides in one of these, but no person who performs janitorial services for more than one multiple dwelling may service more than sixty-five dwelling units. Regardless of residence the janitor must have a telephone where the janitor may reasonably be expected to be reached.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 27-2054, any person providing janitorial services for a multiple dwelling of nine or more units must live either in that building or within one block or 200 feet of it—whichever distance is greater—unless the building's owner lives on the premises or 24-hour janitorial coverage is otherwise provided. When two or three buildings are connected or adjoining, one janitor may cover all of them by residing in any one of the buildings, but that janitor cannot serve more than 65 dwelling units in total across those properties. Regardless of where the janitor lives, the rule requires that the janitor maintain a telephone at which they can reasonably be reached.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings with nine or more units subject to N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 27-2054 generally ensure that the designated janitor lives within the required proximity—in the building or within one block or 200 feet—unless the owner personally resides there or qualifies for the 24-hour-service exemption under § 27-2053. When managing connected or adjoining buildings, compliant operators confirm that a single janitor covering multiple properties does not exceed the 65-unit cap and resides in one of those buildings. Maintaining documentation of the janitor's residence address and a reachable telephone number supports ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in a multiple dwelling of nine or more units have a right under N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 27-2054 to have janitorial services provided by someone who lives nearby and can be reached by telephone. If a building appears to lack a properly situated or reachable janitor, tenants may consider filing a complaint with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, which oversees housing maintenance standards in the city. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with the Housing Maintenance Code can also help residents understand what documentation or steps are generally available when this provision may not be followed.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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